Butterfly Symbolism & Meaning

When Butterfly spirit begins visiting your life, something new and wonderful is about to unfold!

It’s time for personal growth and greater awareness of your mental, physical and spiritual rhythms. Change can sometimes be challenging and daunting because it moves us out of our comfort zone.

You cannot embrace a “new you” until you release the old. With Butterfly medicine you’ll find that you can fly gracefully above the barriers that would otherwise hold you back.

Butterfly as a teacher puts great emphasis on movement – be it blossom to blossom, home to home, or one state in our spiritual exploration to another.

Butterfly often turns our thoughts inward to review elements of our character, morals and habits that weigh us down, keeping us stuck in a mire of negative energy.

The goal of our winged ally is restoring lightness in your Be-ing so you can dance life’s dance with unbridled joy!

In looking at the Butterfly spirit in history, this animal guide has many faces and attributes.

Christians saw it as representing the soul and its journey. Native American tribes respect Butterfly as the messenger of transformation, happiness and the glorious colors of nature, and in China newlyweds were often given gifts bearing two Butterfly images to insure their marital happiness and harmony.

Butterfly medicine is one of simplification. Go back to the little things. Tend them like flowers in the field. Open your senses to the nectar and aroma of living in the moment. Do what you can now, but remember quality learning rarely happens quickly. Slow, mindful changes are the ones that last a lifetime, laying the foundations for enlightenment and self-actualization. Eventually your inner Butterfly will emerge from its inner work when the time is perfect, with fresh ideas and inventiveness to guide our next spiritual stages.

Butterfly Spirit Animal

As a Spirit Animal Guide, Butterfly whispers of your hidden potentials. There’s an old saying that there is nothing in a caterpillar that knows it’s going to be a Butterfly. Nonetheless the transformation from caterpillar to winged wonder happens, quite naturally.

Are you still the caterpillar? Then feed your soul until it’s full and ready for integrating new truths.

Butterfly also speaks of happiness and vision. If you’ve been feeling blue, Butterfly as a Spirit Animal is here to help. If you’re working on divinatory arts, Butterfly gives you greater clarity.

In nature, this insect’s eyes are very keen, including being able to see ultraviolet light. Don’t be surprised if you start catching Fairies and Angles out of the corner of your eyes.

Fact: when the Butterfly loses an antenna it cannot fly properly. As a spirit messenger this means that Butterfly wants you to keep your spiritual antenna honed and tuned to the Divine and Higher self so you don’t lose your way.

Butterfly Totem Animal

People born with a Butterfly as their Totem Animal have a natural lightness of spirit! They love the beauty of nature and are guided by the greatest good when it comes to maintaining balance with the environment.

As you work with your Butterfly Totem Animal, you’ll find that you’re better equipped to look at difficult situations from another angle. As you fly on Her wings your perspective becomes more global and hopeful.

Butterfly people are naturally social, colorful and vibrant. They endeavor to live each moment to the fullest. Dance like a Butterfly on the winds and celebrate your journey!

Butterfly Power Animal

Are intense changes on your horizon? Then Butterfly is the Power Animal on which to call. It doesn’t matter what part of your life is going through transitions, Butterfly eases the process with gentle, renewing breezes and a kiss of beauty.

Other times when Butterfly magic is very helpful is when you hit a creative wall, or have lost your joy to stress, anxiety or depression. Butterfly is all about color and vibrant expressiveness.

During migration, Monarch Butterflies will land in the very tree as did their ancestors. After traveling thousands of miles, even being blow off course, the Monarch ‘grandchild’ or even ‘great-great grandchild’ Butterfly will find the exact same spot that their grandparents ‘roosted’ in after the migration.

Just as Monarchs have cellular memory of their ancestor’s wisdom, so can you tap into this ancient knowledge.

Native American Butterfly Symbolic Meanings

Butterflies figure heavily in Native American mythology and ritual. Among the Blackfeet it’s thought that it is Butterfly spirit who brings us our dreams. Because of this, babies are often presented with a small depiction of a butterfly at bedtime along with a lullaby invoking Butterfly for sweet dreams.

In Hopi tradition, Butterfly is one of the nature spirits called a Kachina. Butterfly appears in the Butterfly Dance, a ceremony that takes place over two days and acts somewhat like a rite of passage for young women, who will learn traditional songs and the role of women in Hopi culture.

The Navaho regard the Butterfly as an emblem of happiness and rebirth. She is tied to the story of the god Quetzalcoatl who first manifests as a chrysalis. Eventually he bursts forth from his chamber with a rainbow of colors appearing as a Butterfly.

Butterfly as a Celtic Animal Symbol

An old Irish blessing says,

“May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun,
and find your shoulder to light on.
To bring you luck, happiness and riches today,
tomorrow and beyond.”

Throughout Celtic regions Butterfly represents prosperity, joy, good fortune and honor. Butterfly also symbolizes the soul. So much was the case that harming a white Butterfly was against the law in Ireland because of the belief it bore a dead child’s spirit.

Butterfly Dreams

When Butterfly appears in your dreams it brings with it greater inventiveness, particularly in relationships. Butterfly dreams also foretell a time of change to which you need to pay attention. Accept the growth opportunity before you with open arms.

Butterfly in Astrology & Zodiac Signs

In Celtic Animal Astrology those born between 9/30-10/27 are the Sign of the Butterfly. Butterfly people are social, outgoing “flitters” landing here and there, and bringing delight as they go. Butterfly is a bit of dreamer and restless soul, who constantly explores new ideas and places with optimism on his or her wings.

Far Eastern Butterfly Symbolic Meanings

Chinese art has numerous symbols and associated meanings for Butterfly. A single butterfly represents longevity, grace and beauty. Two are the symbol of young, harmonious love. Butterflies appearing with a cat acts as a wish to live a long, happy life as is a butterfly appearing on a hand or on plum blossoms. Finally, a butterfly enjoying nectar speaks of the rich flavor of joy.

Feng Shui practitioners use the emblem of a butterfly to help improve romance and love in the home, as a means to help a single person find the right partner, or an inspiration for children to release their imaginations.

In Japanese tradition Butterfly bears a message to help you sort out a problem. Symbolically it represents the transition from being a young girl into womanhood, joyful marriage and a time-honored harbinger of spring’s arrival.

Butterfly Symbolic Meanings Key

23 Responses

cil

August 24, 2016

what does it mean when you find a dead butterfly in your path? I have looked all over to find this meaning, could not find anything. I would appreciate any help on this, as I am dealing with a lot of things at this time. I need guidance on what to do. Thanks in advance.

Sorry you have so much on your plate at this time. I’m sending love to you right now!

OK, so, I’m going to shoot straight with you. Finding a dead Butterfly could mean that it’s time for you to figure out how to more rapidly and gracefully transform so as to get through this tough period. Butterflies are all about metamorphosis so, as Winston Churchill says, “If you’re going through hell, keep going”!

No matter how tough things are you can get through it and to a better place faster than you are thinking. I believe in you and know you can do it! So, get going! <3

I’ve always been attracted to butterflies, but have always felt the turtle is my spirit animal. Lately, butterflies have been constantly in my path. Yesterday one landed on my hand and stayed with me way longer than one usually would. Could this be a messenger for me? Has it been my totem animal all along? I’m definitely in a time of (agonizingly slow) transition and change.

We can have more than one Totem Animal as well as more than one Spirit Animal. It sounds like Butterflies come to you as a Spirit Animal and, maybe, Turtle is your Totem animal – who you “are”. I’m sending you tons of good energy to help you through this transition but remember, Turtle teaches us that slow and steady wins the race so hang in there! You’re doing great!

I’m a truck driver, my husband and I did a driver change and I saw a orange, white, yellow n black on top side and blue, purple, white and black butterfly on the grill. It was still alive n let me hold it for a long while. I placed him on a bush to hopefully live. Then 2 days ago, the same week, I saw an orange, black and white one walking on the ground, so I put my hand down n he walked on my hand, so I could save him from getting walked on and I put him in the planter. We came back outside and he let me hold him again, then I put him back in the planter. My question is… what are the 2 butterflies trying to say? I’m so happy, in love and at peace with my life, why did they let me save them and hold them?

Wow! Butterflies are skittish so 2 allowing you to “hold” them is definitely special! Something tells me you’ve been through a great deal to get to where you are – “happy, in love and at peace”. Maybe Butterflies are asking you to find ways to inspired others during their times of transformation. Or, maybe the Butterflies were simply attracted to all the loving kindness you radiate!

I have a lot of milkweed in my yard, planted with intention. A Monarch butterfly eclosed on Saturday that I have watched its chrysalis since it formed. She is disabled and I held her until her wings were fully formed. She cannot fly, so I brought her inside. She is now 4 days old, residing in my studio on my desk in front of a sunny window. I feed her fresh flowers and nectar daily. I’m video recording her life with me. Oddly enough, this time of year I am typically frantically preparing for art shows. I opted not to do the shows this year, so as to pursue my art differently. Now that I am reading how much butterflies represent transformation. I am transfixed. I am starting an ecourse on October 3rd to pursue a lifelong dream of writing and illustrating children’s books. I hope this means I am on my right course. thanks! Lisa

Now, your post is incredibly emotionally uplifting to be sure but what really got to my heart was the part about the Butterfly being ‘disabled’. Why that really moves me is because later you share that you are finally starting to pursue your lifelong dream. And, that’s when it hit me. When we don’t pursue our real dreams we are, in a sense, “crippling” our soul. We are ‘disabling’ our “self”. So, because you’re moving ahead with your soul’s purpose, honoring your sacred contract, you’re saving your own life on many levels. And, the “Butterfly effect” of your work (internal and external) will be absolutely beautiful!

Kudos to you Lisa! I hope all who have postponed living their dreams read this and realize they can beat the odds like your delicate rescue Butterfly – that there will always be gentle souls out there such as yourself who will help them along their own path of transformation.

Stay wild,
Bernadette
PS You know, I’ve rescued my fair share of animals but to learn about a Butterfly rescue is completely astounding to me. Can’t wait to see the video!

A caterpillar decided to plant itself on the side of my house (close to my backdoor). This slowly converted to a cacoon. About 2-3 weeks later a butterfly was born and it landed upside down on my door path. The butterfly could not fly and one of its wings were not full. I placed my finger on its legs. The butterfly walk on my hands and arms. Now I have the flyless butterfly inside my house. I am afraid if I leave it outside being it will be eaten or die because it cannot fly. What does this symbolize?

Love your site…I’ve gotten amazing insight and information…so thank you!! I have been seeing ALOT of butterflies in my daily life lately…like I will be driving and it’s butterfly after butterfly…or I’m outside and they seem to follow and surround me wherever I am at…there are just too many to be coincidental…not to mention I have lately seen alot synchronicity in my life. I’ve been working on a spiritual connection for the past few months and occassionally see a psychic so I know there is something I need to realize or be cognitive of….I’m just not sure what all these butterflies mean or are trying to tell me. I was hoping you may be able to provide some insight.

Thank you for the sweet words of praise and thank you for visiting WhatIsMySpiritAnimal.com!

Based solely on the information you’ve provided, it seems to me that Butterfly is trying to nudge you to develop your psychic abilities. That said, I’m a professional psychic medium and your energy feels to me as if you’re interested in psychic phenomena far beyond what occasionally getting a reading ‘means’ – if that makes sense. Go for it!

Also, I’m feeling like you’re a bit introverted. So Butterfly might be letting you know it’s time to emerge! Spread your wings and let your glorious colors sparkle and shine for all the world to see!

Thank you very much for your response. Yes – I have been having ALOT of what feels like a push to develop my psychic abilities…so your comments make perfect sense. I actually have signed up for a class on developing psychic abilities that a friend sent to me completely out of the blue….seemed divinely sent 🙂

Most people don’t know that I’m introverted because I try and push through that as much as possible and I pretty much socialize with the same people so they would never see that in me 🙂

Thank you again for responding – hopefully developing these skills will better give me some clarity in my own messy life. 🙂

Hi,
I have been seeing dead and/or dying butterflies for the past few days – all over the place. On my way home today one flew out from under a truck in front of me, towards my windshield and straight into the path of another vehicle. Sadly, he crashed down onto the road. I normally wouldn’t see it as a sign/symbol except that there have been many, on the ground near my feet, hitting my windshield and the one today really stood out and grabbed my attention. I feel there is a message that I need to get, just not sure what it is.
Kind Regards.

Butterfly as a Spirit Animal may be appearing in your path in this manner to ask you slow down – watch who you trust, who is ‘coming at you’, and where you are going. Are you making changes without considering the consequences? Are you zigging when you should be zagging? Butterflies are symbols of transformation. When they die so dramatically, sometimes it can be omen that the transformation you’re seeking or are engaged in might not go so well. Look before you leap, OK?

i just read the meanings of the butterfly ,and its so trur and so correct ,i do have a big transtion on my life at the time ,and i do have a big transtion on my mind , i also get lost in my depression a lot , always feeling sad and blue because whats going on on my life ,but as it said ,its just a transtion ,i hope butterful can get me power help me though this transtion peacfully

First, with your permission, I’ll send tons of loving and healing energy your way. Butterfly medicine and energy can certainly help you! Spend some time each day learning about Butterflies of all kinds and find the type that resonates most with you. For instance, you may find that during this time yellow Butterflies speak most to your soul. Next month, it might specifically be Monarch Butterflies. Each has something to offer from its color messages, migratory patterns, mating rituals, and more.

When I woke up this morning a peackock butterfly was fittering at the window. I helped it to get outside because I truely believe it schould not be trapped in my bedroom. A few minutes later another peacock butterfly was fluttering at the same place as the first one. I saw the first one fly away. The second one was a little larger. So I captured it in a big box, opened the window and let it fly away. I have no clue where they came from. They didn’t fly araund. My Windows have been closed for weeks. And I have had no indication that they were there. When I set the first one Free I never saw the second one. I am truely amazed and I wonder if it means something special.

Hi, I dreamed with small black butterfly, they form like a bundle n one flew right in front of me and it felt like it was looking at be directly n this woman in my dream told me it ment blessings, I’ve been looking for it but no found it yet in pictures, I’ve found some that looks like it, well thanks.

Thank you for sharing about your dream! It would be awesome if all of us had a lady that showed up in our dreams to tell us what the dream means! 🙂 I wonder who she is. That could be part of what your dream was about…

Found a lot of insightful info in this article. Thank you. Just curious as to what does finding a Butterfly Wing mean. Yup, just a wing … It’s Black, Yellow and Purple and I just happened to find it. Does it symbolise anything?